Cast and Characters
Page Updated on September 22, 2002
More Biographies and Character
Information Coming Soon
The main characters of the series are
listed on the table below in alphabetical order. These names are
linked to more extensive biographies (when available) and character analyses.
Whenever possible, I have derived biographical references from reliable
sources, however no one is above error. If you have reason to believe
that any of the factual information presented in the biographies is incorrect
please email me at mchallenger@angelfire.com.
The character analyses are completely my own and represent my personal
opinion. You are more than welcome to disagree with them and offer
your own ideas. I would be happy to engage in a meaningful dialogue
about the characters and their interactions with each other. I consider
this page, especially the character analyses, as a work-in-progress which
is subject to change. All of your comments are welcome and can be
sent to the above email address. You will notice that not all the
characters in the series are represented; I selected those I considered
most important to the story line.
Bublé's career started as a dancer at the age of 4, studying jazz, tap and ballet for 10 years before making the transition to acting. Born and raised in Vancouver, she is the youngest of three siblings. Her older brother Michael is a successful jazz singer and dancer whose style has been compared to that of Harry Connick Jr. The siblings have never performed on stage together, but plan to collaborate on one of Michael's upcoming music videos.
Bublé recently attended the Toronto International Film Festival in support of her feature film rollercoaster, which earned critical acclaim and won Most Popular Canadian Film at the Vancouver International Film Festival. "It was an amazing experience," says Bublé. "I met William Hurt and he asked me about my film - I was speechless."
Crystal Bublé also appeared in several television series - including Poltergeist: The Legacy, The Adventures of Shirley Holmes and Madison - before landing a supporting lead role, Emma, on Call of the Wild. "I really like Emma," says Bublé. "She's quick, funny, flirtatious and has a real zest for life."
- from Screen Trade Canada
Crystal Bublé portrays the flirtatious Emma Berry, who runs the Forty Mile Hotel while her father is away on business. Emma is like Miles in that she too has an adventurous spirit and longs to break out of Forty Mile in order to see the rest of the world. Because her parents travel constantly and have often left Emma alone she has had to develop a strong sense of self-reliance. Although she is capable of taking care of herself, Emma longs for affection and the chance for an escape from the monotony of Forty Mile. Miles Challenger provides such a chance, but unfortunately things do not work out between them.
The relationship between Miles and Emma is one of the most dynamic aspects of the entire series. Initially they are friends and Miles longs for something more to develop. Unfortunately for him Emma keeps sending mixed signals. One moment she is very close and seemingly in love with the young guide, the next moment she is cold and distant. Emma is quite flirtatious as her interactions with Stanton prove. And these interactions with Miles' cousin from San Francisco only strain the relationship between Emma and Miles.
We are not quite sure whom Emma favors. On the one hand, Emma seems to favor Miles with his spirit of wanderlust. Yet on the other hand she also admires Stanton’s charm and sophistication. Emma is in love with the idea of high culture and society. Stanton presents San Francisco as a city with such cosmopolitan standards. However, Stanton’s actions and words against his younger cousin along with Miles’ brave heroics during the outbreak of Yukon Fever convince Emma to remain in Forty Mile rather than travel to San Francisco. Towards the end of the series it is clear she still has feelings for Miles. We see this particularly in episode eleven, “Storm Warning.” In that episode Miles and Emma spend a romantic afternoon in the cabin while a dangerous storm passes through the area. The ever-dutiful Miles tends to Emma’s wound and shares his feelings for her. By the episode’s end we are convinced that a deeper relationship is forming.
Any hope of a relationship is shattered in the final episode, “Betrayal.” Stanton’s return to Forty Mile and Emma’s decision to treat the city slicker as more than a friend convince Miles that it is time to move on. Although he had planned to leave the Yukon with Emma, he decides that travelling with Dr. Rossmore is a better idea for the future. Yet Emma simply refuses to fade into the background. Just before the young man leaves town Emma surprises both Miles and the audience by saying that she loves him. Although Miles tries to question her, Emma moves away in tears. Was this declaration made only to persuade Miles to remain in Forty Mile? Or was this a genuine declaration of love? We are left unsure of Emma’s true feelings.
Emma is strong-willed and quite personable. She develops a close bond with Mercedes Levant, especially after Mercedes assumes ownership of the saloon. The two work closely with one another and communicate openly. When Emma finds herself in a dangerous situation she does not back down in fear. Rather she chooses to face the situation and resolve it. The only exception to this rule is the problem of Emma’s relationship to her father. Although she does say that her father leaves her alone for months at a time she never speaks about the situation at length and does not explain how much it is troubling her. She faces this demon alone and is overcome by it. If Emma had a serious conversation with Miles about the situation, she may well have gained an insight into the problem and further developed her relationship with the aspiring young guide.
Bublé plays a strong supporting
role in the series. She can be quite ebullient and flirtatious, yet
also calm and reserved. She can portray an adventurous spirit quite
well, making her the perfect complement to Meier’s
portrayal of Miles. We keep hoping for a relationship to develop
between the two characters because Bublé and Meier interact so well.
Ben Cardinal is a busy actor with many credits, including co-starring roles in the MOWs Big Bear and Plea Bargain. Other film and long-form television credits include Sorrow Floats, Rupert's Land, All the Winters that Have Been, True Heart, Alaska, Magic in the Water, How the West was Fun, Unforgiven, Gross Misconduct, and Moccasin Flats, which he wrote and co-directed. He plays the character of Dan Wolf on The Sentinel and has appeared in series such as Welcome to Paradox, Sleepwalkers, Cold Squad, Two and North of 60. Ben is a writer, singer/songwriter and dancer. He speaks Cree and is an experienced dogsled handler.
- from Screen Trade Canada
Kathleen
Duborg (Mercedes Levant)
Duborg moved from Calgary to Vancouver to study science at the University of British Columbia, but her love for the stage caused her to switch to the fine arts program and full-time theater studies. A stage career that included performances across Canada eventually led to work in film and television. Duborg appeared in Dark Water and Perfect Little Angels and in Bruce Sweeny's two feature films: Live Bait and Dirty; she also guest-starred on television series such as The X-Files, The Outer Limits, Sliders and The Commish. In addition, she became involved behind the scenes producing workshops for actors and a 48-hour movie-making competition. Duborg has furthermore enjoyed hobnobbing with the really big stars like Kermit the Frog and Jim Henson. "I love acting because it's never boring - I constantly have the opportunity to explore the playground of life and the intensity of 'humanness'," says Duborg.
- from Screen Trade Canada
Mark Gibbon portrays the French-Canadian con man Guilliard. Actually, I am not entirely sure that this name is correct. Gibbon's character does not have his name listed in the three episodes in which he appears: "Call of the Wild (I, II)" and "The Attack." Furthermore, the other characters with whom he interacts each pronounce his name differently. Therefore, "Guilliard" represents my best guess. Although a seemingly minor character, Guilliard is an indirect link between Miles and Buck. It is only because of Guilliard's bet with Hal Levant that Miles is hired as a guide and eventually gets possession of the dog.
In the series we are given very little background on Guilliard. In "The Attack," Mercedes Levant provides some information when she reads from an old edition of the San Francisco Chronicle. Apparently Guilliard and Reese have worked together before hosting their dog fights in Forty Mile. Reese certainly has connections to San Francisco, but this is not as clear in regards to Guilliard. Guilliard first appears at the end of the first episode in the El Dorado saloon. It is there that he makes a bet with the naive and financially irresponsible Hal Levant that Buck can pull a sled with a thousand pounds for a distance of one hundred yards. After consulting with Miles and securing the financial backing of a Mr. Guildridge, Hal makes the bet and places his money on the line. Gibbon makes his second appearance as the con man in the second episode. Guilliard ends up losing his bet at the beginning of this episode when Buck manages to haul the weight.
Guilliard makes his third and final appearance in "The Attack." In this episode he accompanies the character Reese, who brings a wagon full of fighting dogs into Forty Mile. Guilliard is Reese's dog-handler and fellow con man. According to the article that Mercedes reads, both Reese and Guilliard are dog thieves and con men who steal the gold which they accept as bets and exchange it for bags of sand. Apparently these two travel from town to town conducting their bloodthirsty sport with immense profit. It is only at Forty Mile, thanks to the efforts of Mercedes and Adoley, that their fraudulent activities are put to an end. Although we see Reese in a later episode (see above), Guilliard never appears in Forty Mile again.
Guilliard is an unsympathetic character
who bullies other people in order to get what he wants. He has a
terrible friend in Reese, who is just a partner of sorts in their criminal
rackets. Guilliard is unafraid to engage in physical violence, as
seen by the bar fight in "The Attack."
He is your typical "tough guy" character: big, brutish, and undeveloped.
Gibbon portrays his character well, although Guilliard hardly requires
the talents of a great actor.
Mackenzie Gray is series lead in The Net, and has guest-starred in the television series Dead Man’s Gun, Welcome To Paradox and Viper. Selected TV credits as a principal actor include the series Due South, F/X: The Series, La Femme Nikita, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, Counterstrike, Street Legal, Night Heat, Seeing Things, Kane And Abel, and Forever Knight.
- from Screen Trade Canada
Known as a character lead, Gray has enjoyed a very diverse career. Strip Search, with Pam Grier saw Mackenzie playing a Tom Waits-like degenerate artist and was closely followed by the humorously ghoulish Grim Reaper in Shelley Duvall's My Teacher Ate My Homework. Other recent roles include the mischievous systems engineer, Joe Schneider in the HBO asteroid-collision movie, Falling Fire, as well as the shell-shocked British naval officer on Malcolm McDowell's doomed ship in the soon to be released 2103: The Deadly Wake.
Theatre has also offered fertile fields for Mackenzie's talents. He has directed at the Stratford Festival and at the Climate Theatre in San Francisco. Recently he wrote and directed a ballet-opera, The Snow Maiden, at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto. Mackenzie has appeared on stages across Canada, the United States and Britain in both the classics and contemporary work. Notable roles include Dr. Frank'n'Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, Macheath in Threepenny Opera, the lead role in William Shakespeare's Richard II, 14 roles in the award-winning The Life and Times of Mackenzie King, and most recently the notorious rogue Lord Byron, in Bloody Poetry. From romantic poets to Chicago hitmen, Mackenzie Gray delights in every new challenge he faces.
- from Columbia TriStar Television
Mackenzie Gray portrays the avaricious prospector Hal Levant. He has brought his sister Mercedes along with him from Georgia to share in the adventure of prospecting in the Yukon. Unfortunately, shortly after their arrival in Forty Mile, Hal reveals his true character. Initially, he is an amiable gentleman but his concerns do not lie with his sister’s well being or happiness. Instead, Hal wants to seek his fortune in the gold fields without regard for the rigors of the miner’s life. Using his sister’s money, Hal purchases Buck at an auction for seven hundred dollars and later loses the rest of the money in a round of heavy gambling. It is clear that Hal is financially irresponsible and incapable of long-term planning. This lack of foresight and prudence contribute to his downfall.
Hal does hire Miles as the Levants’ guide, but only after winning a bet with Guilliard. On the trail Hal proves to be merciless to the dogs, threatening to starve them in order to conserve food. As the days wear on and the food supply dwindles, Hal becomes more crazed and brutal. He constantly argues with Miles even though the young man possesses far more common sense and knowledge of the trail. In the end it is Hal's avarice that overcomes any shred of reason that the man possesses. After physically attacking Miles and leaving him for dead, Hal forces his sister across the thin ice to a small habitation across the river. The ice breaks and the Levants are left struggling for their very lives. By trying to save some of his precious gold Hal sinks under the waves and perishes in a watery grave.
Gray’s portrayal of Hal Levant is certainly
a highlight of the first two episodes. Within a relatively short
time (less than two full episodes), Hal denigrates into an abusive maniac
consumed by his lust for wealth. Even when compared with the series’
other villains, Hal emerges as one of the most malevolent.
Rachel
Hayward (Adoley Thornton)
Rachel's family is relentlessly creative. Her mother is a ceramic artist, father a creative director, older brother a photographer in New York and younger brother a lead singer in a rock band. Aside from her passion for acting, Rachel also holds a degree from Ontario College of Art as a graphic and fine artist.
Rachel spent her earlier years modeling and shooting commercials and independent features in Toronto. While freelancing as a graphic artist, Rachel began to pursue her acting career seriously. Her natural ability as a dramatic actor and her love of comedy, coupled with the growth of the Canadian film industry, helped launch her career. As an actress, she has had the opportunity to play a broad range of characters, including a series lead on Chris Carter's virtual reality/action series Harsh Realm.
Hayward has a long list of appearances on numerous television series including Robert Altman's pilot Killer App, First Wave, Stargate, Sliders, Toe Tags, Viper, The Commish, Highlander and Fox's Millennium. In addition, Hayward has appeared in such made-for-television movies as Deadlocked, A Voyage of Terror and Bloodhounds II.
Hayward's feature-film experience includes the romantic comedy Apartment Hunting, The Operative, Under the Gun, Deadfire, Convergence, Stranger in the Mirror and Knight Moves.
- from Screen Trade Canada
For Yahoo! Chat with Rachel Hayward
see www.angelfire.com/tv2/cotw/rachelchat.html
Mark Hildreth
(Stanton Challenger)
Kavic plays the legendary dog Buck. In the novel Buck is an enormous St. Bernard - Scotch shephard mix weighing a hundred and forty pounds. Kavic, on the other hand, is a timber wolf - Alaskan malamute half-breed that also weighs in around one hundred and forty pounds. Originally from Oregon, Kavic more resembles White Fang than the Buck of London's novel. In an online chat session co-star Shane Meier comments that Kavic is about as big as a desk, easily reaching up to Meier's waist. Truly Kavic is a large, formidable and yet beautiful dog. Oftentimes owners of Alaskan malamutes comment on the breed's inability to accept commands. However Kavic is quite trainable and obedient, according to Meier. At the time of filming Kavic was around four years of age. I was unable to discover whether he has been featured in any other shows or movies.
Buck arrives in Forty Mile in the late winter of 1898. Initially he is sold at auction to the Swede for fifty dollars. Buck catches the attention of Miles Challenger, who is instantly attracted to the powerful animal. Buck, an inexperienced sled dog, quickly proves his worth on the trail when he rises to pull the lead. Buck assumes his "command" only after defeating (though not killing) Spitz in a brutal fight. When Swede and his team get caught in a vicious storm Buck makes up for the lost dogs and manages to haul the team to safety. Unfortunately Buck's health is shattered; he never pulls a lead again. Miraculously, Buck survives his injuries thanks to the care of Charlie Jimmy and Miles. After losing so many dogs, Swede is put in a tough spot and is forced to sell Buck in order to raise capital.
Reports of Buck's legendary heroics on the trail have greatly increased his value. Hal Levant purchases Buck at auction for the princely sum of seven hundred dollars. Unfortunately for Buck, Hal proves to be an irresponsible handler. However Hal and Mercedes hire Miles as their guide, but only after Buck is compelled to pull a sled with a thousand pound payload. Buck's labor earns Hal Levant a thousand dollar prize and Miles the opportunity to become an independent guide. On the trail to Eagle Ridge (which becomes a diversion to Five Fingers), Miles and Buck grow closer as Hal becomes more abusive and insane. With Hal's death Buck becomes the property of Miles, much to the delight of the young guide.
In "The Attack," Reese arrives in Forty Mile, offering the citizens the chance to win easy money by having their dogs participate in fights. Reese claims Buck as his own, using a photograph and the indication of a scar on Buck's leg as proof of ownership. The truth is that Buck was never Reese's official property, rather Reese stole Buck from a dog kennel in San Francisco. Somewhere along the line (possibly when Reese served time in prison), Buck became the property of another and eventually found his way into the auction in Forty Mile. Unfortunately for Miles, Reese's proof is accepted and the con man subjects the poor animal to a bloody fight against Buck's nemesis, Spitz. When Mercedes and Adoley break up the illegal fight, Buck is spared from killing the other dog. However, Buck suffers psychological scars that threaten to turn him feral.
Buck manages
to overcome the horrors of the fight and proves his loyalty to Miles.
He is later bitten by a rabid wolf and suffers physical anguish.
Fortunately, through Charlie Jimmy's skillful intervention, the Spirits
look favorably on the wounded animal and fully restore his health.
As the series continues Buck consistently proves his loyalty and usefulness.
Not only does he rescue Miles from dangerous situations, he also saves
the citizens infected with Yukon Fever by delivering the life-saving quinine.
Without a doubt the dog is dedicated to Miles, yet he also follows the
commands of Swede and John Thornton. Besides being physically intimidating,
Buck also has an innate "danger sense" ability. In "Epidemic," he
senses the presence of a bear and successfully averts the animal from attacking
the debilitated Miles. And in "Betrayal," he senses the schemes of
Dr. Thaddeus P. Rossmore. He does this with such clarity that Rossmore
is forced to drug the animal in order to make it more complacent.
Buck, the paragon of loyalty, is Miles' best friend and he follows the
young guide to new adventures outside of Forty Mile at the conclusion of
the series.
An actor, writer, painter and poet, Nick Mancuso is a master of the arts. Born in Mammola, Italy, as the son of a carpenter and the eldest of five children, his family immigrated to Canada in 1953. Fluent in four languages by the age of 16, his sharp mind and excellent memorization skills were recognized and often tested by his high-school English teacher in Toronto. After a particularly moving poetry recital, "my English teacher basically demanded that I join the drama club," reminisces Mancuso. "I had never seen a play before, but the moment I walked into the theater and saw the actors on stage I was mesmerized."
Mancuso attended the University of Guelph in Toronto and graduated with a major in psychology and a minor in philosophy. Throughout his studies, he remained active with the drama club, performing in over 30 productions, and upon his graduation he was offered a scholarship to the National Theatre School. He declined on the basis that the acting profession was "not a reliable way to make a living." However, the 1960s was a time of revolutionary thinking and philosophy, and directors (in particular the Polish director Growtoski) were using theater as a medium for expressing ideas. Mancuso was drawn by this experimental theater and became involved with the Studio Lab Theatre Company in Toronto, an association that led to his involvement with a number of other theater groups.
Nick Mancuso's work earned him an invitation to Stratford Theatre and the opportunity to work with top actors such as Maggie Smith, Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy. A visit to Stratford by Elenor Kilgalan, head of casting for Universal, resulted in an offer to work in the United States and a contract with ABC optioning his work. He was soon in Los Angeles starring in a television series pilot for Stephen J. Cannell called Shack. "It wasn't picked up," recalls Mancuso of his first U.S. television experience, "but it was the beginning of a long and fruitful career in television." He was soon back walking the floorboards, starring in the world premiere of one of Tennessee Williams' last original plays, Tiger Tale. "One of the most exhilarating experiences of my career was standing on that stage in Atlanta, Ga., holding Tennessee Williams' hand as we bowed to a standing ovation on opening night."
Columbia Films then offered him the lead in Nightwing, a feature film directed by Arthur Hiller that began Mancuso's cinematic career. With well over a hundred film and television roles to his credit, Mancuso has starred in television series such as Stingray, Total Recall 2070 and Matrix, feature films including Under Siege, The Ex, Maria Chapdelaine and Rapid Fire, and numerous television movies and mini-series. He won a Genie Award for his role in Ticket to Heaven and has won a number of Best Actor honors from film festivals around the world. Throughout his career, he has performed as everything from a deaf-mute Ukrainian boxer, a French diplomat, a psychotic killer, to the boy next door. Mancuso's feature film credits include performances in English, French and Italian, and his work has taken him around the world. He has played husband to two of cinematic history's most beautiful leading ladies: Catherine Deneuve and Rachel Welch. He has also played opposite Kim Basinger, Charlton Heston, Christopher Lambert, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christine Lahti, Heather Graham, Gary Busey, Stacy Keach, Saul Rubinek and many, many more acclaimed actors.
When not in front of the camera, Mancuso is either writing, painting, practicing yoga or Aikido, or performing on stage. He has written a book (The Line) about his experiences as a young immigrant to Canada and has written two one-man plays (In the Domain of the Ordinary and Hotel Praha), which he will perform off-Broadway in New York this fall.
- from Screen Trade Canada
For more on Nick Mancuso see www.nickmancuso.com
For the Nick Mancuso Fan Page see msnhomepages.talkcity.com/studiorow/nick_mancuso/
Shane
Meier (Miles Challenger)
The Meier family moved from the prairies of Saskatchewan to Vancouver when Shane was 12 years old. Discovered by a talent agent, he landed his first television role as the "young MacGyver" at the age of 13. After a string of television roles, Meier was propelled into the spotlight when he played Clint Eastwood's son in the Academy Award-winning film, Unforgiven. He drew further notice with an acclaimed performance as the possessed teenager in Stephen King's Needful Things with Ed Harris, Bonnie Bedelia and Amanda Plummer. "After that," says Meier, "the offers really started coming in."
Shane Meier's other feature-film credits include The Quest with Jean-Claude Van Damme, André with Joshua Jackson and Keith Carradine, and most recently Silver Wolf, in which he stars with a 130 pound timber wolf. In television, he played Chuck Norris' family friend in a recurring role on Walker, Texas Ranger and starred in the spin-off movie Sons of Thunder. He has also guest-starred on numerous series, including Stargate, The Outer Limits, Lonesome Dove, Madison, Road to Avonlea, The Commish and Dead Man's Gun.
The young actor has lived in both Los Angeles and Vancouver during the course of his career and counts meeting Clint Eastwood and Ed Harris among his stand-out moments so far. "Being taken for lunch by Steven Spielberg and working in Thailand with Jean-Claude Van Damme were also pretty incredible experiences." When Meier is not on-set acting, he enjoys "anything that involves strapping a board to my feet" and loves that Call of the Wild is filming close to Whistler - one of North America's best snowboarding destinations. Meier also loves working with animals and has had the opportunity to act with a wolf, a seal, a 1,500-pound grizzly bear and now with Kavic, the dog that stars as Buck in Call of the Wild.
- from Screen Trade Canada
Twenty-two (now twenty-five) year old Shane Meier portrays the young and impressionable Miles Challenger. Miles is idealistic, seeking to live an adventurous life in the Yukon as a professional guide. Unfortunately, his aspirations are often thwarted by the more conservative John Thornton. His mother, who married Thornton after her first husband died of an illness, took Miles to the Yukon when he was twelve years old. During his three years in Forty Mile, Miles has had a strained relationship with Thornton, whom he refuses to acknowledge as a proper father figure. Indeed, at the time of the first episode Miles appears unruly and even rebellious to the point of storming out of his house in frustration. His life is marked by the absence of a permanent a male role model. Although he does grow to accept John Thornton’s presence in his life, Miles nevertheless makes his final act in the series one of revolt from him. However, Miles has a loving relationship with his strong willed mother. The fact that the two can openly and respectfully communicate their thoughts and feelings with one another is particularly noteworthy. This respectful communication is absent in several (though not all) interactions between Miles and John. Clearly Miles does not hate John but rather is confused about John’s role in his life. Miles views John’s isolation and apparent iron-fisted attitude about his aspirations to become a guide as hindrances to establishing a lasting (and loving) relationship.
Miles is immediately attracted to Buck when he sees the dog brought into town. Throughout the series a relationship that is mutually beneficial develops between the two characters. Buck grows more tame and acquainted with his surroundings and Miles discovers a friend that he can confide in and love. With Buck, a thrilling life of exploration becomes possible for Miles, as seen by the adventures the two have together throughout the series. Miles himself claims that Buck is his best friend; Buck accepts Miles completely and follows him loyally.
Miles' relationship with Emma is one of the more interestng aspects of his character. Doubtless he is attracted to Emma and would like for a more serious relationship to develop, yet it is important to consider that his own aspirations for adventure win out over any feelings of affection in the end. To Miles’ credit, Emma is a confusing character who does not seem to fully comprehend her own feelings and desires. Miles feels an attraction to Emma because of her similar character; she too is adventurous and seeks to escape the Yukon, which for her has become a prison. Although he might not feel a strong attraction to the other people in his life, Miles is clearly not an isolated and distant person, as John Thornton often is. On the contrary, Miles is personable, friendly and polite. However, he is also deeply impressionable especially when interacting with other males. When he meets Doc, for instance, he immediately takes an interest in the man’s lifestyle even though it is one hardly worth pursuing. As Doc departs for the final gunfight of his life, Miles is seen in tears pleading for Doc to take him along. Miles longs for a relationship and is emotionally crushed when it is denied him. However, he has Buck to console him and strengthen his confidence.
Although we see Miles' character developed throughout the series certain episodes are particularly revealing. Episodes three ("The Attack") and five ("Foxfire") show the close relationship between Miles and Buck while episode eleven ("Storm Warning") deeply explores Miles' relationship with Emma. For evidence of Miles' generosity and compassion, see the conclusion of episode four ("The Arrival").
Meier’s interaction with Kavic is one of the highlights of the entire series. The two work so well together that one is convinced of a genuine chemistry between them. For a similar interaction between a boy and his wolf, see Meier in Silver Wolf (alongside veteran actor Michael Biehn). After seeing the entire Call of the Wild series on more than one occasion I am fully confident in Meier’s acting ability; he will do well in future projects.
For more on Shane Meier, see www.geocities.com/shanemeier
For Shane Meier's filmography see us.imdb.com/Name?Meier,+Shane
For Yahoo!Chat with Shane Meier see www.angelfire.com/tv2/cotw/shanechat.html
For more on Silver Wolf, see
www.blueriderpictures.com/silvwolf.htm
Winston Rekert is well known to television audiences as the title character in the TV series Adderly, and as Michael Terry in the popular show Neon Rider, a series he co-created and co-produced and for which he directed several episodes. He received acclaim for both series from the Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television, and won the Gemini Award for Best Actor for Adderly. The Academy also recognized his work in the films The Blue Man, Toby McTeague, Walls (for which he was also named Best Actor by the Festival of Festival's Critic's Choice Awards), The Colombian Connection, Heartaches and Suzanne. Rekert's numerous television credits include, guest starring roles in Danger Bay, Lonesome Dove, and Due South. Just prior to filming for Loving Evangeline, Rekert was in Vancouver, where he shot several episodes of Stargate SG-1 in which he has a recurring guest lead role.
- from Screen Trade Canada
Donnelly
Rhodes (Dr. Thaddeus P. Rossmore)
Over his long and distinguished career Rhodes has turned his considerable talents to many roles. Born in Winnipeg, he originally trained as a warden in the National Park Service, before finally settling into his career as an actor. After making his debut on stage as Stanley in Death of a Salesman, he went to Montreal as the National Theatre School in its inaugural year. After landing a starring role in a CBC television movie, Rhodes was picked up as a contract player for Universal Pictures, landing film and television roles ranging from a gunslinger in Butch Casssidy and the Sundance Kid to a country singer in The Hard Part Begins. He gained prominence with his role as the suave Phillip Chancellor Sr. on The Young and the Restless.
Over his career Rhodes has taken on a wide range of roles in a variety of television and theatrical movies, while also making guest appearances on more than 100 television series. This is the tenth recurring role in a series for Donnelly, whose past shows include Soap, Double Trouble, Report to Murphy, Sidestreet, Street Legal, Famous Jury Trials, The Heights, The Young and the Restless, and Danger Bay. Recent credits for Rhodes include a recurring role on Hope Island, the television movies Unconditional Love, Roswell Project and Big and Hairy, plus guest appearances on The Crow, Dead Man's Gun, Millennium, The Sentinel and The X-Files. In addition to his acting role, Rhodes will be directing Episode 36 in Season III of Da Vinci's Inquest.
- from Screen Trade Canada
Mr. Rhodes portrays the devious impresario Dr. Thaddeus P. Rossmore. The scheming entertainer makes only one appearance in the series but does so at a critical time in Miles’ life. Rossmore has been travelling throughout the United States and the Yukon as an entertainer and entrepreneur. Unfortunately for his customers, Rossmore’s product is anything but the cure-all he claims. Along with his estranged daughter Ariella, Rossmore travels from town to town hawking his snake oil and making a quick profit. Before his customers can discover that his potion is nothing but moonshine he leaves and heads for the next shanty town. Rossmore keeps his daughter along with him on the trail because she gives tarot-card readings which further enhance his profits. By the time Rossmore enters Forty Mile he has lost his assistant Arthur, who provided additional revenue from his sword swallowing act. Furthermore, Ariella clearly has become fed up with her life as a shill and gypsy. However, Rossmore does not appear tired or bored by his choice of lifestyle since he plans to continue his carnival with the addition of a new act.
Rossmore is a skillful observer and can quickly determine whether the people in a given town are potentially useful to his enterprise. As soon as he and his daughter enter Forty Mile Rossmore spots Buck and Miles playing in the road. Immediately he sees the dog as an opportunity for attracting more customers. Rossmore believes that by exhibiting the relatively tame Buck he can draw in more unsuspecting people and lure them to buy his snake oil. Buck is the essential component to this scheme; he is the showpiece that will attract more customers. Instead of resorting to stealing Buck Rossmore cleverly tries to incorporate Miles into his plan by telling the unsuspecting boy that he needs a guide and assistant. Although he may very well require the services of a guide in the Yukon, it is clear that Rossmore is perfectly capable of running his operation with his daughter, who decides to remain with Rossmore after he convinces her that he only wants the best for her.
It doesn’t take long for Rossmore to prey upon Miles’ weakness: his desire to escape the Yukon and become a guide. Rossmore extols the lifestyle of the adventurer and dreamer. He draws parallels between his life and Miles’ only to induce the boy to join his travelling carnival. Unfortunately for Miles, Rossmore is a very skilled con man and can speak persuasively. He also has no scruples about using his daughter as an effective lure to attract Miles to the carnival. Rossmore arranges a meeting between Miles and his daughter which further entices Miles to join as Rossmore’s guide. The con man manages to persuade Miles to change his life and leave his loved ones behind.
Rhodes portrays the scheming Rossmore
effectively. His demeanor is that of a “grandpa” figure which is
instantly attractive. Rhodes’ warm and soothing voice only add to
his charisma as the con man that delights in reaping profits from unsuspecting
rubes. Rhodes has a level of charm and self-confidence that any real
con man would die for. He knows what to say and when to say it.
His delivery effectively draws in both Miles and the audience.
French Tickner
(Edward Challenger)
Jerry Wasserman (Theobold "Soapy" Smith)
Jerry Wasserman has an extensive filmography including Wounded, Mask of Death, Alive, White Lies, Max, Mystery Date, Look Who's Talking, Cold Front and The Accused. After completing Kitchen Party Jerry landed a principal role in Dirty which screened at the 1998 Toronto International Film Festival.
Jerry's television career is equally impressive, including roles in Second Chances, City of Fear, The Diana Kilmury Story, A Baby of Her Own, Deadlocked II and Spot Marks the X.
- from Screen Trade Canada
Jerry Wasserman appears in two episodes portraying the cowardly criminal Theobold "Soapy" Smith. Soapy is essentially a one-dimensional character with little development. Apparently he already has a reputation in Forty Mile and the surrounding environs when he appears in "The Attack." In "Molly Brown" he claims to be a guide but he is never seen acting in this capacity. In this same episode he also mentions that he was raised in Denver. This explains how he is able to recognize Molly Brown. When he makes his first appearance in "The Attack" Soapy is determined to rob the Iron Maiden with the help of his small band of thugs. However, this is not an easy task. The Iron Maiden is a heavily armored wagon entrusted to transport large payloads of gold to the port at Skagway. From there the gold may be shipped to the United States. The Iron Maiden not only has an escort of experienced riders but also contains a Gatling gun placed within a turret. In "The Attack," Dan Loughlin manages to enlist the aid of John Thornton for the most recent haul to Skagway. While the Iron Maiden is out on the trail Soapy foolishly camps too close to Loughlin's crew. Thornton, the experienced mountain-man and tracker, easily spots the Soapy's campfire and engages in a round of espionage that determines Soapy's intent to ambush the Iron Maiden. Thornton rushes back to Forty Mile to acquire his long rifle and Charlie Jimmy's assistance.
With Thornton back in town Soapy's gang launches a surprise raid on the Iron Maiden, which is crippled by a damaged wheel. Soapy, in a moment of intelligence, uses dynamite to good effect and secures the surrender of Loughlin and his crew. Unfortunately for the thoughtless criminal, Thornton and Charlie Jimmy turn the tables on Soapy and his gang. All the criminals flee in terror and Charlie Jimmy manages to capture Soapy. Thornton is on the verge of hanging Soapy when he swears that he will never again go to Forty Mile or the surrounding area. Thornton, clearly not a hard hearted man, allows the pathetic criminal to go free.
In violation of his oath Soapy does return to Forty Mile in episode twelve, "Molly Brown." Along with Leo, another stupid thug, Soapy sets his sights on acquiring an enormous gold nugget discovered by Oscar. It doesn't take long for John Thornton to learn that Soapy has returned and he encounters the pair of criminals in the saloon. Once again Thornton gets the better of Soapy and forces him and Leo to surrender their guns. On the pretense of leaving town for good Soapy and Leo manage to secure their weapons, yet they only retreat a short distance from Forty Mile. While most of the residents of Forty Mile are attending a social gathering at the saloon, Soapy and Leo attempt to break into the Trading Post and steal the gold nugget. Unfortunately their plans are foiled and Thornton allows Buck to chase the two thugs out of town. This is the last we hear of Soapy Smith.
Wasserman portrays Soapy Smith as a
criminal who is more troublesome than malevolent. Soapy is a selfish
character whose lack of intelligence and planning enable John Thornton
to easily thwart his plans. Although Soapy is unafraid to engage
in violence when he situation is in his favor (e.g. attacking the Iron
Maiden when it is damaged), he acts rather cowardly when he is confronted
by a more capable adversary (e.g. John Thornton). In "Molly
Brown" Soapy's actions give further evidence of the foolish things
people will do when they are under the influence of gold fever.
Crystal
Bublé (Emma Berry)
Mackenzie
Gray (Hal Levant)
Kavic
(Buck)
Nick
Mancuso (John Thornton)
Winston
Rekert (Doc)